Timing apparatus



June 23, 1936. c, RUMPEL 2,045,414

TIMING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 2, 1953 AMPL/F/ ER INVENTOR C. H. RUMPE L A TTORNE V Patented June 23, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TIMING APPARATUS Carl H. Rumpel, New York, N. Y., assignor to Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application August 2, 1933, Serial No. 683,238 3 Claims. (01. 175-335) This invention relates to timing devices and nometer dials showing them in their relative pomore particularly to a timing device for indisitions with respect to some predetermined point eating elapsed time for an event, or the time at the time the picture was taken. taken by a moving object in traveling from one To more clearly point out the improvements 5 predetermined point to another. The invention in which this invention resides reference will now 5 while not necessarily limited to such use is parbe had to the drawing. ticularly adapted for timing races or other sports I To provide quick acting and positively operevents. Certain features which are subsequently ating means for operating the clutch upon a modescribed and which constitute this invention mentary closure of a pair of contacts the polarare improvements over the timing device disized clutch operating magnet 66 is employed. 1O closed in G. T. Kirby application Serial No. The polarized clutch operating magnet 66 as 620,437. shown in the drawing is included in a start sig- The object of this invention, therefore, is to nal control circuit H9. The start signal conprovide improved means for accurately detertrOl circuit H9 is connected to a portion of an mining the time taken for a race or other event. amplifier I and contains a pair of condensers 15 The improvement constituting this invention I2I and I 22, the start key I23 and the stop key resides in means for operating a clutch which I24. The portion of the p fi I20 to Which serves to couple a synchronous motor to a the start signal control circuit H9 is connected chronometer. supplies direct current potential to charge the 20 A feature of this invention resides in a concondensers I2I and I22. The polarized clutch 20 denser discharge system for operating a polarized operating magnet 66 is operated by discharge clutch operating magnet which operates the current from the condenser I 2| or I22 when one clutch. of the keys I23 or I24 is operated or when con- Another feature resides in a ballast resistance tacts are closed in a starting pistol 25 arrangement in the condenser discharge system The condensers I2I and I22 are normally 2 to prevent undue rapid charging of the conmaintained in a charged condition but are limdenser and unbalancing of an amplifier system ited to a comparati y slow rate of charging y by the condenser discharges. means of the resistance I26. The resistance I26 Th s invention may be used in conjunction also prevents the amplifier I20 from being af- 30 with a motion picture camera when it is desired fe ed y discharge Current from the eonden- 30 to have pictures of an event and a record of the sers I2l and I22. The start signal control circuit elapsed time appear on the same motion picture 9 is nor a y as f0110WS- From the a p fi film, or it may be used without the camera when 0, comparatively h val resistance 6,

only time records are required. conductor I21, condenser I22, left hand contacts The drawing shows a schematic of the timing of stop key I 24, conductor I28, upper winding 35 apparatus. I29 of polarized clutch operating magnet 66,

In timing races and other events with this aplower winding I30 o polarized clutch Op at paratus the synchronous motor is started some magnet 66,. conductor |3| t0 t e a p fie time before the beginning of the event. A start- In shunt across the conductors I2! and I3I and ing signal is then given to start the event. When in parallel with the start key I23 and the stop 40 the starting signal is given the clutch is operated y is a resistance a the Condenser to connect the synchronous motor to the eh I2 I. In this circuit positive potential is normally nometer. The chronometer is continuedin operapp to the windings 0f e Polarized clutch tion from the beginning of the event until a Operating magnet 66 by Way of the comparative- 5 contestant or a predetermined number of con- 1y high value resistance I26, conductor I21, contestants have crossed a certain line. Some time denser I 22, left-hand contacts of stop key I24 before this predetermined line is crossed byaconand conductor I28. Positive potential is also testant or contestants, lamps to illuminate the supplied to the condenser I2I by way of the redials of the chronometer are lighted and the mo- Sistance I32. Since the condensers I22 and. I2I

tion picture camera is brought into operation. are only brought to a charged condition in a. 50 Pictures are then taken of the event and the comparatively slow manner by reason of the chronometer dials. In each frame of the motion comparat ve y high Value resistance I 6 and picture film, therefore, there appears an image since no sudden increase or sudden change in of the contestant or contestants as the line is appotential is applied to the windings of the polarproached or crossed and a picture of the chroized clutch operating magnet 66, the armature 55 H4 of the polarized clutch operating magnet 66 remains in its last operated position which, merely for the purpose of illustration, will be assumed to be toward the upper pole-piece III'II. Under this condition, the fiyer arm I05 of the clutch I is held against the stop clutch member I02 which, as shown in the drawing, is attached to the frame I4. When the start key I23 is manually operated the contacts in the key are momentarily closed. The condenser I22 then discharges current by way of the conductor I2? and the closed contacts of the start key I23 and applies a sudden positive potential to the windings of the polarized clutch operating magnet.

This causes a magneto motive force in the polepieces I01 of the clutch operating magnet 66, the magneto motive force applied aiding the magneto motive force, due to the permanent polarizing magnet, in one pole and opposing the magneto motive force, due to the permanent polarizing magnet, in the other pole. This increases the flux in the larger air gap and reduces the flux in the smaller air gap or may even produce magnetic polarities across the smaller air gap to produce a repelling force between these adjacent pole-faces. The armature II4 of the polarized clutch operating magnet 66 is therefore moved over toward the lower pole-piece of the polarized clutch operating magnet 66 and the clutch fiyer arm I05 is moved into engagement with the annular rotating clutch member 98 which is driven by the motor 6. In this movement of the armature I|I4 of the polarized clutch operating magnet 66, the shaft II3 moves the comparatively wide pinion I I8 across the rim of the master gear 5. This pinion M0, however, is of sufiicient width to remain in engagement with the master gear 5 of the chronometer I. When the clutch flyer arm I05 is brought into engagement with the annular rotating clutch member 98 the shaft I I3 is rotated and the chronometer I is set in operation. Upon release of the start key I23 the contacts of' the key immediately open and the discharge circuit for the condenser I22 is broken. The condenser I22 then begins to charge up again but is limited to a comparatively slow charging process by reason of the comparatively high value resistance I26. The comparatively high value resistance I26 in addition to limiting the condenser I22 to a slow charging process also prevents either the charging or discharging of the condenser I22 from afiecting the amplifier I20. Since the amplifier I20 is also utilized in supplying energy. to a tuning fork, not shown, which is employed in connection with the supply of current to the synchronous motor 6 which drives the chronometer I, it is important that the amplifier be protected from any efiects which might cause its unbalance.

Instead of operating the start key I23 as above described to cause operation of the polarized' clutch operating magnet 66 and the connecting of the synchronous motor 6 by way of the clutch I to the chronometer I it may be desirable to control the starting of the chronometer I by means of a starting signal which will give an audible signal for the starting of an event. The starting signal for a race or other sports event is often given by the firing of a pistol. A starting pistol I25 therefore is shown as being connected across the conductors I2! and ISI. Contacts in the starting pistol I25 are preferably momentarily closed and opened simultaneously with the firing of the pistol.

For instance, contacts in the pistol I25 may be closed when the cartridge is struck by the hammer of the pistol and opened again on the slight rebound of the hammer. It is common practice in small firearm constructions to have the hammer strike the cartridge on a slight overthrow movement and then move back to normal fired position. The contacts of the pistol therefore may close when the hammer is in the overthrow position and open again when it moves back to the normal position immediately after striking the cartridge. The condenser I22 would then discharge on the instant the cartridge was struck by the hammer and the impulse from the condenser would proceed by way of the conductor I2I, thence through the closed contacts of the pistol I25 and through the conductor I3I to the windings of the polarized clutch operating magnet 66.

To stop the chronometer I the stop key I24 is manually operated to close its contacts. like the operation of the start key I23 or the firing of the pistol I 25 is a momentary closure of the contacts and provides for a condenser discharge to operate the polarized clutch operating magnet 66. When the stop key I24 is manually operated to close its right hand contacts the condenser I2I discharges by way of the right hand contacts in the stop key I24, conductor I28, and windings I29 and I30 of the polarized clutch operating magnet 66. This increases the flux in the upper pole-piece I01 and decreases the flux in the lower pole-piece I01 of the polarized clutch operating magnet 66 sufficient to attract the armature II4 toward the upper pole-piece I01 of the polarized clutch operating magnet 66. The clutch flyer arm I05 would then be moved out of engagement with the annular rotating clutch member 98 and into engagement with the stop clutch member I02. Since the polarized clutch operating magnet 66 is operated on comparatively high potential condenser discharge current and these surges of current are of extremely short duration, there is no pronounced heating of the windings of the polarized clutch operating magnet 66, such, for instance, as would occur if the start signal control circuit had been closed for a comparatively long period to cause operation of the clutch operating magnet.

Since the amplifier employed in connection with this invention may be of standard and well known design, details of the amplifier are not shown in the schematic. The amplifier I20, however, is supplied with operating current from an alternating current generator I 35 over the conductors I67, I68, I36 and I31. From an output connection of the amplifier I20 amplified current of controlled frequency is supplied over the conductors I43 and I44 to the synchronous motor 6.

When the timing apparatus above described is to be used in conjunction with a motion picture camera, a motion picture camera equipped withtwo lenses and of the type described in the above identified G. T. Kirby application is provided. The motion picture camera may be of standard construction and modified by having a lens system added to it for viewing the dials of the chronometer I or the lens system for viewing the dials of the chronometer I may be permanently built into the camera construction. In the drawing a motion picture camera I 59 has been included. The motion picture camera I59 is provided with the usual lens system I 56 for projecting images onto a motion picture film within the camera. Extending from the lens This,

system I60 of the motion picture camera I59 is a lens system ISI for viewing the dials 2, 3 and 4 of the chronometer I. The lens system I6I comprises a light passage I62 which is in communication with the lens system I60 and the dials of the chronometer I. Included in the lens system I6I and located within the lens system I66 of the camera is a prism I63 which will project an image of the dials into the view line of the camera I59 within the lens system I60. In alignment with the lens system I6I is an aperture I64 in the casing I65. The casing I65 has one open side and as shown in the drawing, rests with the open side down on the cover 6| of the casing 62 of the chronometer I. Supported within the casing I65 and not in alignment with the aperture I64 is a lamp I66 which serves to throw light on the dials 2, 3 and 4 of the chronometer I. The lamp I66 is supplied with current from the source of alternating current I 35 by way of the conductors I61, I68, I69, I10, switch HI, and transformer I12.

The motion picture camera I59 may be driven by a spring motor such as is common in motion, picture camera constructions, or it may be driven by an electric motor. In the preferred embodiment, as shown in the drawing, the camera I59 is electrically driven, the motor for the camera being supplied with current from the source of alternating current I35 over the conductors I61 and I68 and switch I11.

Assuming that the apparatus above described is to be used in timing a sporting event such, for instance, as a race and that the amplifier I26 is connected to the source of alternating current I35 the operation is as follows: A starting signal for the event is given. Simultaneously with the giving of the starting signal contacts are closed and then immediately opened in either the pistol I25 or in the start key I23. With the closing of the contacts at either of these points, condenser I22 discharges and increases the flux in the lower pole-piece I61 and decreases the flux in the upper pole-piece I61 of the polarized clutch operating magnet 66. The armature II 4 is then moved downward toward the lower polepiece I01 of the polarized clutch operating magnet 66. The shaft H3 is moved longitudinally and the clutch fiyer arm I05 is moved out of engagement with the stop clutch member I62 and into engagement with the annular clutch member 98. The annular clutch member 98 is driven by the synchronous motor 6 by means of a gear 19 engaged by a pinion 18 on the shaft 16 of the motor. Since the annular; clutch member 98 is being driven by the synchronous motor 6 and since the shaft H3 is connected by means of the pinion II8 tothe master gear 5 of the chronometer I; the dials 2, 3 and 4 of the chronometer I are set in rotation. The armature II4 of the polarized clutch operating magnet 66 will be maintained in the last operated position by the magnetism in the lower pole-piece I01 until the key I24 is operated to close its right-hand con-- tacts. The condenser I2I will then discharge and cause increase of flux in the upper pole-piece I61 and decrease of flux in the lower pole-piece I01 of the polarized clutch operating magnet 66. The armature II4 will then be moved toward the upper pole-piece I 01. The shaft II3 will be moved upward longitudinally and will carry the clutch fiyer arm I65 out of engagement with the annular clutch member 96 and into engagement with the stop clutch member I62. Since the stop clutch member I02 is secured to the frame 14 the chronometer I will be immediately stopped. The elapsed time for the event can then be read from the dials 2, 3 and 4 as they stand relative to a fixed point.

If the motion picture camera. I59 is being used in conjunction with the chronometer I to time the event, the stop key I24 would not be manu-v ally operated until the event was all finished or until a predetermined number of contestants had crossed the finish line. When the camera I59 is to be used, camera I59 is set in operation by closing the switch I11 as the contestants approach the finish line. Prior to the closing of the switch I11 the switch I1I is operated to close the circuit to the lamp I66. The switch "I should be closed prior to the bringing into operation of thecamera I59 to permit the lamp I66 to reach its full intensity of illumination before pictures are taken of the dials 2, 3 and 4. With the lamp I66 lighted and the camera I59 in operation pictures of the finish of the event are taken together with pictures of the rotating dials 2, 3 and 4 of the chronometer I. Since each frame of the film of the motion picture camera contains a picture of the event and the dials 2, 3

and 4 of the chronometer I, the positions of contestants relative to a finish line and the time in which they reach such points can be readily determined.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus of the class described, including a polarized magnet, a control circuit for said polarized magnet, a source of current supply in said control circuit, a pair of conductors extending from said source of current supply to windings of said polarized magnet, a condenser in series with the windings of said polarized ,magnet, a condenser in parallel with the windings of said polarized magnet, a contact making device connected across the conductors of said circuit to provide a discharge path for current from said first-mentioned condenser through said polarized magnet in a direction opposite to that normally maintained through the windings of said polarized magnet, and a circuit breaking and making device to disconnect said first-mentioned condenser from said polarized magnet and to make a discharge path for said second-mentioned condenser through said polarized magnet, said circuit making and breaking device having break contacts in series with said first-mentioned condenser and said polarized magnet, and a make contact in series with. said second-mentioned condenser.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, including a polarized magnet, a control circuit for said polarized magnet, a pair of conductors in said control circuit, a source of current supply for said control circuit, a start key connected across said pair of conductors, a .stop key, normally closed contacts in said stop key connected in series with said polarized magnet, a. condenser in series with said polarized magnet and the normally closed contacts in saidstop key, a resistance device in series with said source 01' current sup- I ply and said condenser, a condenser and a resistance connected in series across said pair of conductors and in parallel with the windings of said polarized magnet, and a make contact in said stop key between said second-mentioned condenser and the resistance associated therewith, said stop key operating to disconnect said first-mentioned condenser from said polarized magnet and to connect said second-mentioned condenser directly in parallel with the windings of said polarized magnet, each of said condensers being so arranged in the control circuit that it will separately discharge through the windings of said polarized magnet in a direction opposite to the direction of discharge of the other condenser.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, in-

connected across said pair of conductors and a contact breaking and making device having break contacts in series with the first-mentioned condenser and said polarized magnet, and a make contact to bring the said second-mentioned condenser in connection with said polarized magnet in place of said first-mentioned condensen,

CARL H. RUIVJDPEL. 

